- What Does Fertilizer Do?<\/a><\/li>
- When to Fertilize Your North Carolina Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- How to Fertilize Your North Carolina Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Other Factors to Consider<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
What Does Fertilizer Do?<\/h2>
Fertilizers provide the necessary nutrients to help your grass grow strong and healthy. Most grass thrives in nutrient-rich soil, so when that soil lacks essential elements, the grass becomes weak and susceptible to disease and pests.<\/p>
Fertilizers supply lawns with three primary nutrients: <\/p>
- Nitrogen (N):<\/strong> Helps rapid growth and protein synthesis; increases leaf development to create a dense lawn<\/li>
- Phosphorus (P):<\/strong> Helps early root growth; promotes plant maturity and seed development<\/li>
- Potassium (K):<\/strong> Increases drought and disease resistance<\/li> <\/ul>
These are listed as the N-P-K ratio on a bag of fertilizer.<\/p>
When to Fertilize Your North Carolina Lawn<\/h2>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/rsz_lawnstarter-overseeding-map_1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Grass types are categorized as warm-season or cool-season. North Carolina is part of a \u201ctransition zone,\u201d which means the best grass seed for North Carolina<\/a> includes both warm- and cool-season grass types, depending on where in the state you live. Here\u2019s what you need to know about when to fertilize your North Carolina lawn, depending on your grass type.<\/p>
Cool-Season Grasses<\/h3>
![\"Kentucky](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Kentucky-bluegrass-2-1.jpg\")
Kentucky Bluegrass
Photo Credit: JeanUrsula<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Cool-season grasses thrive in spring and fall when the weather is cooler before going dormant during the warmer months. They tend to flourish in climates with warm summers and cold winters. During their growing season, cool-season grasses<\/a> become full and lush, utilizing the available moisture and nutrients.<\/p>
Common cool-season grasses in North Carolina include:<\/p>
- Tall fescue<\/li>
- Kentucky bluegrass<\/li>
- Fine fescue<\/li>
- Perennial ryegrass<\/li>
- Annual ryegrass<\/li> <\/ul>
According to NC State University<\/a>, here are the best times to fertilize your cool-season grasses<\/strong>:<\/p>
- Round 1: <\/strong>March-May. You should only fertilize as needed to help the grass recover from the damage it received over the winter. Use between 1\/5 and 1\/2 pounds of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet if you need to fertilize.<\/li>
- Round 2:<\/strong> June-August. Over the summer, your grass will take some damage and should only be fertilized as needed. Use between 1\/5 and 1\/2 pounds of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet.<\/li>
- Round 3:<\/strong> September-November. Do a soil test<\/a> to see how your grass is doing, and only fertilize if it needs it. Use one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in September and November.<\/li>
- Round 4:<\/strong> December-February. Fertilize in February using one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. <\/li> <\/ol>
Warm-Season Grasses<\/h3>
Warm-season grasses thrive in places with year-round warm temperatures and go dormant for three to five months during the winter. <\/p>
Fertilizing the different types of warm-season grasses<\/a> in North Carolina is a bit more complex and detailed, so your fertilizing routine should be tailored to the grass in your lawn:<\/p>
Bermudagrass<\/h4>
![\"bermudagrass](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/bermudagrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: CDH_Design<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> - Round 1:<\/strong> March-May: Test your soil; fertilize as needed when your lawn turns fully green.<\/li>
- Round 2:<\/strong> June-August: Apply nitrogen every 4 to 6 weeks.<\/li>
- Round 3:<\/strong> September-November: Use a low nitrogen, high potassium fertilizer or potash (K2O).<\/li>
- Round 4: <\/strong>December-February: Don\u2019t fertilize; test your soil if a soil test is due. Adjust soil pH as needed.<\/li> <\/ul>
Grass Seed Options: <\/strong>
\u2013 Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass<\/a> (10-lb. bag)
\u2013 Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass<\/a> (50-lb. bag)<\/p>Centipedegrass<\/h4>
![\"centipede](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Centipede_Grass.jpg\")
Centipedegrass
Photo Credit: James Becwar<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC0 1.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>- Round 1:<\/strong> March-May: Test your soil; fertilize as needed; don\u2019t apply nitrogen before mid-May.<\/li>
- Round 2:<\/strong> June-August: Apply nitrogen every 4 to 6 weeks.<\/li>
- Round 3:<\/strong> September-November: Apply no more than 1\/2 LB of nitrogen per 1000 square feet in September or four weeks before the first frost; use a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer or supplement with potash (K2O) 4 to 6 weeks before the expected frost.<\/li>
- Round 4:<\/strong> December-February: Don\u2019t fertilize; test your soil if a soil test is due, and adjust soil pH as needed.<\/li> <\/ul>
Grass Seed Options: <\/strong>
<\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>Gulf Kist Coated Centipedegrass Seeds<\/a> (1 lb.)
\u2013 Scotts EZ Seed Patch and Repair Centipedegrass<\/a> (3.75 lbs.)
\u2013 TifBlair Centipedegrass<\/a> (5-lb. bag)<\/p>Zoysiagrass<\/h4>
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Starr_070906-8518_Zoysia_sp.-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> - Round 1:<\/strong> March-May: Test your soil; fertilize as needed; low nitrogen until March 15.<\/li>
- Round 2:<\/strong> June-August: Apply nitrogen in late June or early July; repeat in mid-August.<\/li>
- Round 3:<\/strong> September-November: Don\u2019t apply nitrogen; instead, apply potassium (potash K2O).<\/li>
- Round 4:<\/strong> December-February: Don\u2019t fertilize; test your soil if a soil test is due and adjust soil pH as needed<\/li> <\/ul>
Grass Plug and Seed Options: <\/strong>
<\/strong>\u2013 EZPlug Zoysia Plugs (50 Large Grass Plugs)<\/a>
\u2013 Zoysia Plugs (50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)
<\/a>\u2013 Zoysia Plugs (100 Plugs)<\/a><\/p>How to Fertilize Your North Carolina Lawn<\/h2>
Choose Your Fertilizer<\/h3>
One of the first things to do before fertilizing your lawn is to choose the right fertilizer<\/a>. Lawn fertilizers are categorized as either:<\/p>
- Quick-release:<\/strong> Gives the soil an instant nutrient boost.<\/li>
- Slow-release:<\/strong> Provides nutrients gradually over time. They are less likely to harm the environment.<\/li> <\/ul>
These fertilizers come in liquid, granular, and organic forms. Here are the main differences between liquid vs. granular fertilizers<\/a>:<\/p>
- Granular fertilizer: <\/strong>Tiny granules that are applied with a fertilizer spreader. Most granular fertilizers are slow-release.<\/li>
- Liquid fertilizer: <\/strong>Available in ready-to-spray bottles that can be hooked to a garden hose or in a concentrated liquid form that needs to be diluted with water. They are typically quick-release.<\/li> <\/ul>
Organic fertilizers<\/a> often come from natural materials, such as grass clippings, manure, compost, or bone meal.<\/p>
Be careful to follow the best fertilizing practices to avoid overuse, prevent burning your grass, and protect your waterways.<\/p>
Prepare Your Lawn<\/h3>
You should take a few steps to prepare your lawn before you fertilize so that the soil can adequately absorb the nutrients in the fertilizer. <\/p>
Here is what you should do:<\/p>
- Test your soil:<\/strong> This will tell you your soil’s pH and what nutrients it needs so you can choose the right fertilizer. Store-bought strips will only tell you your soil\u2019s pH level, while some at-home soil testing kits can estimate your soil\u2019s nutrient levels in addition to its pH value. You can send a soil sample to a lab<\/a> for a detailed report.<\/li>
- Adjust the soil pH:<\/strong> Your soil test will tell you if your soil pH is too acidic or too alkaline, which means your grass won\u2019t absorb the nutrients from the fertilizer. The ideal pH range for grass is 5 \u2013 6.5. If your soil pH is low, add agricultural lime. If your soil pH is high, add elemental sulfur.<\/li>
- Remove weeds: <\/strong>You want to fertilize your grass, not weeds. Use a post-emergent herbicide<\/a> to get rid of your weeds or a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent them. Once you apply your herbicide, you will need to wait a week before fertilizing.<\/li>
- Mow:<\/strong> If your grass is tall, it will be more difficult for the fertilizer to spread and block it from reaching the soil. You should be able to mow and fertilize on the same day<\/a>.<\/li>
- Water the grass:<\/strong> Water your lawn three to four days before fertilizing so the soil will be moist enough to absorb nutrients but not too wet.<\/li> <\/ul>
Feeding Time<\/h3>
Depending on which fertilizer you choose, here are the steps for properly applying an even layer of fertilizer to your North Carolina lawn:<\/p>
Granular<\/h4>
![\"gardener](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/granular-fertilizer.jpg\")
Photo Credit: welcomia<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> - Pick a fertilizer spreader<\/a>.<\/li>
- Wear protective gear, including gloves, close-toed shoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, a dust mask, and safety goggles.<\/li>
- Set your spreader to apply the right amount based on the instructions on your fertilizer bag.<\/li>
- Place your spreader on your driveway over a tarp before filling it to catch any spilled granules and avoid stained pavement or burned grass.<\/li>
- Fill the spreader with as much fertilizer as you need. Put any spilled granules back into the bag.<\/li>
- Apply fertilizer by walking around the perimeter of your lawn at a slow, steady pace. Then apply to the middle by walking back and forth in even, slightly overlapping lines, similar to how you mow.<\/li>
- Water your lawn.<\/li> <\/ul>
Liquid<\/h4>
![\"person](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/liquid-fertilizer-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> - Put on protective clothing as mentioned above.<\/li>
- Depending on your tool, you can attach your sprayer to the hose or fill your ready-to-spray bottle.<\/li>
- Spray your liquid fertilizer evenly. Pick one side of the lawn to start on and stand at a distance, spraying from side to side. Then, walk backward over your lawn. <\/li>
- Wait two to four hours for the fertilizer to dry.<\/li>
- Water your lawn.<\/li> <\/ul>
Organic<\/h4>
- Adjust the soil pH:<\/strong> Your soil test will tell you if your soil pH is too acidic or too alkaline, which means your grass won\u2019t absorb the nutrients from the fertilizer. The ideal pH range for grass is 5 \u2013 6.5. If your soil pH is low, add agricultural lime. If your soil pH is high, add elemental sulfur.<\/li>
- Liquid fertilizer: <\/strong>Available in ready-to-spray bottles that can be hooked to a garden hose or in a concentrated liquid form that needs to be diluted with water. They are typically quick-release.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Slow-release:<\/strong> Provides nutrients gradually over time. They are less likely to harm the environment.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Round 2:<\/strong> June-August: Apply nitrogen in late June or early July; repeat in mid-August.<\/li>
- Round 2:<\/strong> June-August: Apply nitrogen every 4 to 6 weeks.<\/li>
- Round 2:<\/strong> June-August: Apply nitrogen every 4 to 6 weeks.<\/li>
- Round 2:<\/strong> June-August. Over the summer, your grass will take some damage and should only be fertilized as needed. Use between 1\/5 and 1\/2 pounds of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet.<\/li>
- Round 1: <\/strong>March-May. You should only fertilize as needed to help the grass recover from the damage it received over the winter. Use between 1\/5 and 1\/2 pounds of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet if you need to fertilize.<\/li>
- Phosphorus (P):<\/strong> Helps early root growth; promotes plant maturity and seed development<\/li>
- When to Fertilize Your North Carolina Lawn<\/a><\/li>